Bridle-bit.



'No. 640,619. Patented Ian. 2, I900.

B. A LLEN, In. BRID'LEBIT,

(Application filed Sept. 21, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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BONA ALLEN, JR, OF BUFORD, GEORGIA.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,619, dated January 2, 1900.

Application filed September 21, 1899. 58 O- 731,210. [No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, BONA ALLEN, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Buford, in the county of Gwinn'ett and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridle-Bits; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in bridle-bits, the object being to produce a bit which may be used as an ordinary drivingbit and by slight changes in the adjustment of the parts may be used for holding the horses mouth open for drenching or other purposes.

The invention consists of the several parts constructed and arranged as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which the same parts are designated by the same letters of reference throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bit with the bars separated as used for holding the mouth open. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the bars together as used for ordinary driving. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one end of one of the bars with the nut detached.

The bit consists, essentially, of three bars A, A, and A connected together at their ends by the rings B, the bar A being securely fastened at its ends to the rings B, as at ca. The rings B are provided with slots 1), extending in opposite directions from the point a, where the bar A is secured, each of the said slots b extending about one-third of the distance around the ring, leaving about onethird of the ring solid, as at b. The bars A and A are each reduced at their ends to form fiattenedlugs a,which fit the slots b, and have fiat sides to prevent the lugs from turning in the said slots, and the ends of the said bars are still further reduced to form stems a which are screw-threaded to receive the nuts A When the bit is put together, the lugs a on the bars A and A are placed in the slots b in the rings B and the nuts A are screwed upon the stems a which extend through the slots in the rings.

The bars A and A may be moved to any position within the limits of the slots b and clamped by means of the nuts A as will be readily understood.

At any suitable place upon the rings B are formed eyes B, vto which the bridle-reins C are attached in the usual manner.

For use as an ordinary driving-bit the bars A and A may be moved around and clamped close to the bar A, which may have its sides flattened, as at d as shown in Fig. 1, thus forming practically one bar.

When used for holding the horses mouth open for drenching or other purposes, the bars A and A are moved awayfrom the bar A, as shown in Fig. 1, the three bars forming a triangle. In this instance two of the bars rest upon the lower jaw and the other bar serves to support the upper jaw, thus holding the mouth open.

The bit may also be formed into what is generally known as a rough bit by setting one or both of the bars A and A a short distanoe away from the bar A, as will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat= ent of the United States, is

1. A bridle-bit composed of two rings; a bar secured at its ends to the said rings; and two bars mounted upon opposite sides of said bar and adjustable about the center of said rings, substantially as described.

2. In abridle-bit, the combination with rings; a bar fixed at its ends to said rings; and slots in said rings upon opposite sides of said fixed bar; of bars arranged to slide in the said slots, and means for clamping the said bars at any position within the limits of the said slots; substantially as described.

3. In a bridle-bit, the combination with rings; a bar fixed at its ends to said rings; and slots in said rings upon opposite sides of said fixed bar; of bars having their ends re duced to pass through the said slots, and nuts upon the reduced ends of the said bars to secure the latter tethe rings; substantially as bars to the said rings; substantially as de- I0 described. scribed.-

4. In a. bridle-bib, the combination with In testimony whereof I affix my signature rings; a, bar fixed at its ends to said rings; in presence of two witnesses. and slots in said rings upon opposite sides, of T said fixed bar; of bars having their ends re- BOLA ALLEN dnced to fit the said slots, and having threaded Witnesses: stems extending through the said slots, and g A. V. SULLIVAN, nuts on the threaded stems to clamp the said I A. E. MAYNARD. 

